The Harlem Renaissance

Introduction


Aaron Douglas
Into Bondage 1936
Oil on canvas, 153.4 x 153.7 cm
In the Collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art,Washington DC,USA Museum Purchase and Partial Gift of Thurlow Evans Tibbs, Jr. The Evans - Tibbs Collection

Time magazine's article "How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century" (December 18, 2006) says that "kids are global citizens now, even in small town America, and they must learn to act that way." There is a debate about how to accomplish this goal in schools, but certainly, it is important to help students gain a wider perspective of human history and culture. This assignment helps you understand an important part of American culture, your culture, in ways you may not have considered before. This assignment is intended to help you expand your view of human experience, a quality of thought you will need in order to be truly a global citizen. 

Task

You are a historical tour guide:

For this Web Quest, you will be visiting a number of web sites to learn about the Harlem Renaissance so that you can create a brochure for tourists. As a tour guide, you must be an expert on this cultural period in history, so research and read carefully. Part of your job is also to read a poem to your tour group (played by your class). You will also be writing a reflection.

Process
  1. Create your brochure document/template. (click here and then click "Use this template"--or you can make your own by hand)
  2. Conduct your research, taking notes in a separate Google doc.
  3. Find the list of sites here. This list includes a description of what you will find there. You need to present information in your brochure from each of the three topic areas (A, B, and C). You may also use NCWiseOwl.
  4. In addition, you will learn about a poet from the Harlem Renaissance and read a poem by him or her to your tour group. A mini-biography of this poet should go on your brochure, including a photograph. Write your own mini bio. It should be about 40-50 words. Since there are a limited number of names, check with the other students who also drew the same poet as you, and be sure you have chosen different poems to read to the class.
  5. See the directions below for how to set up your brochure.
  6. Create a works cited page. The sites you visited must be cited in a separate document. See here for how to make a page.
  7. Write a 200-250 word reflection about what you learned. Use the questions below to guide you.
  • What did you learn in general about the Harlem Renaissance? Be specific.
  • Which aspects of your research were most interesting to you and why?

The Brochure

Title: The Harlem Renaissance, A Visitor's Guide

Requirements for the brochure:

  • Cover that includes title (see above) and an image; if you hate the title provided, come up with your own (NOT My Harlem Renaissance Brochure).
  • Your name, class, period, and date go on the back middle as if it's your tour company.
  • You need to include information in your brochure from the three topic areas from the list to the left.
  • A mini-biography of your chosen poet should go on your brochure, including a photograph.
  • The information you gather must be presented in summary form (in your own words), be easily read by your tour participants, and must be absolutely without errors in spelling, punctuation, etc. A real public document should be 100% accurate.
  • Include images: photos, paintings, or other graphic elements as are appropriate. Be sure to identify paintings with title and artist's name.
  • This brochure is to be handed in. Print back to back and fold.
Evaluation

Rubric:

Brochure (75 points):

  • Fully develops each of three topic areas (15 points each)

     o History
     o Art/music/lit
     o Social/political

  • Mini bio of poet (15 points)
  • Cover includes title and image(s) (5 points)
  • Name, date, class and hour on back (5 points)
  • Free of errors (5 points)

Reflection (15 points):

  • Typed and shared with Mr. Sandlin on Google Docs (2 points)
  • Includes what you learned, specifically (5 points)
  • Includes what aspects of research most interesting (5 points)
  • Grammar/mechanics (3 points)

Works Cited (10 points):

  • Typed (2 points)
  • Hanging indent (2 points)
  • Alphabetical (3 points)
  • Follows MLA style (3 points)
Credits

Slightly adapted from here.